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June 4, 2007

Embroidered Buttons

The Japanese craft books are filled with wonderful embroidery projects and these buttons are a great example. So why not make a quick and simple embroidered button?

Here is an easy method I used to make my button:

1. Choose a shank button that will be large enough for your embroidered design.

2. Use a piece of scrap fabric, lay your button on it, and draw a circle around the button about one centimeter or so away from the edge. This measurement will vary so you just want to make sure that the circle will cover all of the front and most of the back of the button.

3. Cut out the circle drawn on the scrap fabric, measure it to the button, and make sure it fits correctly. Use the scrap as a template for the fabric and embroidered design that will cover the button.

4. After cutting around your embroidered design baste a running stitch about a 1/4 of an inch from the edge. Pull on the end of the thread to gather the stitches and place your button in it. Gather it securely and tie off the thread. Note: You might want to use a strong thread that can withstand the pulling. I chose a hand quilting thread.

Nothing to it! Please feel free to comment if you have any tips for covering buttons, we love to hear from readers!

You know, you've inspired me. I'd love to organize a swap for these, would that be okay, or would I be out of line? And is there any interest out there? They're just so sweet and can be used in so many ways...

How funny you should post about this! A while ago, I picked up some old needlework books from tyhe library sale and the other night I was looking at all the embroidery patterns, only to stumble on some tiny button patterns with fish and boats. Very cute. I think this is the universe's way of telling me that I need to make those buttons.

The history of covered buttons is really interesting. I work with heritage collections and have done a couple of posts on my blog investigating covered buttons. Come and have a look: http://zhozhofabart.blogspot.com/2011/08/fabric-covered-buttons.html